CN113727628B

CN113727628B - Device for positioning a body

Info

Publication number: CN113727628B
Application number: CN202080031607.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·泽兹迈尔
Original assignee: C Zezimaier
Current assignee: C Zezimaier
Priority date: 2019-04-26
Filing date: 2020-03-19
Publication date: 2023-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-19
Also published as: CA3137052A1; JP2022530117A; SG11202111411VA; US20220202201A1; AT522485A1; EP3934486B1; EP3934486A1; CN113727628A; WO2020215109A1; AT522485B1; KR20220012845A

Abstract

Device (1) for positioning the body of a user (100), wherein the device can be used in a seat or as a support, the device comprising a seat element (20), a pelvic and lumbar module (13) and a computing unit (40), wherein the pelvic and lumbar module comprises an adjustment element (117) and a sensor (113), and the seat element comprises an adjustment element (108) and three sensors (111, 112), wherein the sensors (111, 112, 13) detect sitting and leaning pressures, wherein the computing unit activates the adjustment element, wherein the first and second sensors (112) and the third sensor (111) detect sitting pressures of the first and second ischial tuberosities (102) and the coccyx (104), wherein the first and second ischial tuberosities define ischial tuberosity position surfaces, wherein the adjustment element of the seat element compensates for the ischial tuberosity position surfaces horizontally about the sagittal axis of the user and then the adjustment element of the seat and module tilts up to a substantially zero value about the horizontal pelvic and leaning axis (101) of the user.

Description

Device for positioning a body

Technical Field

Device for positioning the body of a user, wherein the device can be integrated into a seat or a recliner or can be used as a support, comprising a seat element, a backrest element with a pelvis and lumbar module and a computing unit, wherein the backrest element is connected to the seat element, wherein the pelvis and lumbar module comprises at least one adjustment element and at least one sensor, and the seat element comprises at least one adjustment element and at least three sensors, wherein the sensors are connected to the computing unit and are configured for detecting the sitting and leaning pressure of the user in the seat element and in the pelvis and lumbar module, wherein the computing unit is connected to the adjustment element and is configured for analyzing the sitting and leaning pressure and activating the adjustment element.

The invention further relates to a method for operating such a device.

Background

The user generally does not recognize his own body posture in standing, sitting and lying down and takes a posture which causes unilateral painful muscle cramping and which can lead to wear processes and even herniated discs in the event of incorrect loading of the spinal and pelvic structures for a long time. Particularly in the case of misposture and insufficient compensatory movements, long-term sitting requires a long-term retention of the musculature, thereby bringing about an imbalance of the muscles and contributing to a wide variety of body pains.

The pelvis of the user plays an important role in preventing wrong postures and achieving the optimal posture. Devices for positioning the pelvis are widely known from the ergonomic field. US20170086588A1 discloses an air cavity system comprising two air cavity elements laterally spaced apart and integrated into the seating surface of a seat, which in case of unbalanced sitting position positions the pelvis of a user sitting by balancing the ischial tuberosity of the user by means of the introduction or extraction of air by means of a compressor. The region of the air cavity element is embodied so as to be movable, whereby the femoral position of the user can be adjusted. A contact pressure sensor is integrated into the air cavity element, which detects the sitting pressure exerted by the ischial tuberosity of the user on the seat surface. The controller analyzes the sitting pressure and manipulates the compressor based on the analysis.

In the devices for positioning the body according to the prior art, in order to achieve an improved body posture when sitting, only the sitting pressure of the ischial tuberosities of the user is detected and the positioning of the ischial tuberosities as well as the femur is carried out. However, the device has a number of drawbacks.

In order to achieve an improved position in sitting, the coccyx of the user must be unloaded in the upright sitting position. This is not possible by detecting only the sitting pressure of the ischial tuberosities and positioning the ischial tuberosities, so that the prior art devices only marginally improve the user's body posture. Furthermore, the positioning of the user is substantially only performed around the sagittal axis of the user, whereby bending changes of the spine, such as humpback, cannot be prevented. Furthermore, positioning of the user's femur in a substantially upright sitting position does not adequately position the pelvis such that an improvement in body posture in the spinal region can be achieved.

A further disadvantage of the known devices, such as wheelchairs, is that the anatomically significant support in the thoracic region is not considered in an inadequate manner or at all, thereby contributing to the formation of humpbacks. If this defect occurs in the apparatus simultaneously with the lack of seating elements supporting the posture, it is a health-damaging problem especially for the elderly or people with impaired mobility.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for positioning the body of a user, which avoid the drawbacks of the prior art.

The object is achieved by providing a device for positioning a body of a user having the features of claim 1 and a method for positioning a body having the features of claim 9.

The invention provides a device for positioning the body of a user, wherein a first and a second sensor and a third sensor are configured for detecting the sitting pressure of a first and a second ischial tuberosity and the sitting pressure of the coccyx with the user in a substantially upright sitting position, wherein the first and second ischial tuberosities define ischial tuberosity level, wherein the adjustment element of the seat element is configured for compensating the ischial tuberosity level horizontally about the sagittal axis of the user in the presence of a difference in sitting and/or leaning pressure, and then the adjustment element of the pelvis and lumbar module is configured for tilting the pelvis of the user about the horizontal axis of the user until the sitting and/or leaning pressure of the coccyx has substantially zero value. Furthermore, in the region of the sacrum and coccyx of the user, when the user changes from a substantially vertical sitting position to a position tilted about the horizontal axis of the user, a sitting and/or leaning pressure occurs in accordance with the tilting of this position, wherein a substantially highest sitting and/or leaning pressure occurs in the region of the sacrum in the lying-down position. By providing an additional third sensor in the seat element and a sensor in the region of the user's sacrum within the pelvic and lumbar module, it is possible to detect the sitting and/or leaning pressure of the user's coccyx and sacrum in addition to the sitting pressure of the user's ischial tuberosity. This results in the advantage that forces can be detected on the device which are transmitted from the user's spine via its sacrum to the coccyx and ischial tuberosities due to incorrect posture longitudinally along the user's spine or during the rolling process of the user's pelvis through the adjustment movement of the adjustment element for the purpose of positioning the body or during the change of the inclination of the backrest element. Based on the sitting and/or leaning pressure of the coccyx, the adjusting element of the pelvis and lumbar module tilts the user's pelvis in such a way that the coccyx becomes substantially unloaded. This solves the problem of the prior art device for positioning the body in which the sensor only detects the sitting pressure of the ischial tuberosities of the user and compensates for the ischial tuberosity level, however irrespective of the inclination of the pelvis, which is an important component of the body positioning and thus the coccyx may be subjected to a large sitting pressure in the wrong posture. By providing a sensor for detecting the coccyx pressure and for detecting the pressure in the region of the sacrum, it is possible to detect the rolling process of the pelvis in the event of a change in sitting or lying posture by a sitting and/or leaning pressure difference as a function of the inclination of the posture during the transition of the user towards the lying posture.

A further advantage is thereby obtained that the invention can be integrated into an already existing seat or recliner or used as a sitting support in a chair or bed. From this, a plurality of application possibilities results, wherein the device is not limited to the following examples. The device may for example be integrated into the following means: for office chairs, wheelchairs, vehicle seats, child leaning systems, training machines, mattresses or for rehabilitation and therapy applications, in particular standing boards (stehbreten), sitting boards (Stehbetten) and/or operating tables.

A further advantage is thereby created in that the body can be positioned with respect to the force flow and self-adjusting by the user's own weight and/or by his own movement by means of the adjusting elements of the seat element and the backrest element. Furthermore, the computing unit that activates the adjustment element is operated by the user himself and/or by a third person, for example a nursing staff, in the case of elderly persons with impaired mobility.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the body of a user, the backrest element preferably has a three-part thoracic module and a cervical and head module, wherein the thoracic module can be connected to the pelvis and lumbar module located therebelow and the cervical and head module can be connected to the thoracic module located therebelow, the connection preferably being a mechanical connection via a fluid-filled channel or an electrical connection via a wired or wireless connection (produced by means of bluetooth or WLAN) and/or a combination of these connections. The advantage is achieved by the three-part thoracic and preferably four-part pelvic and lumbar module that a user with severe injuries (such as pathological rotational shaping of the spine or scoliosis) can be supported, positioned and mobilized in a segmental manner. A further advantage is obtained in that the device preferably provides supportive stabilization and mobilization measures without fixation means, wherein an improved sitting and lying posture can be achieved in the region of the pelvic and thoracic regions. The cervical vertebrae of the user are influenced indirectly here together by the supported thoracic or shoulder region, wherein the user can additionally be stabilized and mobilized by the individually adaptable cervical vertebrae and head module.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the body of a user, the backrest element has further adjustment elements, for example for positioning and supporting the spine in the region of the transition from lordosis to kyphosis, or for laterally supporting a person with mobility impairment having a torso instability, which are designed for positioning the user in the sagittal direction and around the longitudinal axis of the user by means of alternating and/or synchronous adjustment movements, in particular in the region of the spine, wherein the computing unit is designed for carrying out the adjustment movements in the pelvic and lumbar modules, in the thoracic and head modules in succession, wherein essentially no sitting and/or leaning pressure differences or body position changes result in the already positioned adjustment elements of the seat and/or backrest element. This gives rise to the advantage that the body-perceived muscle activity is stimulated by means of a pressure point and/or pressure region applied in the pelvis and lumbar, thoracic, cervical and head regions of the user in the form of an alternating and/or synchronous upward and downward movement which applies pressure on the body on one side and recedes by the same amplitude on the other side, so that the body of the user can react to this with a compensating movement and position and mobilize the back region. In particular in the joint region between the sacrum and the pelvis, alternating adjustment movements can act positively. In addition, the adjustment element skips the spinous process of the user when it is activated. A further advantage results from the fact that the adjustment movement in the form of a segment can stabilize the body of the user in the adjustment element functionally associated with the respective adjustment element by detecting the segment-shaped sitting and resting pressure differences and is prevented by the skipping of the spinous processes, which are pressure-sensitive, when the body is positioned, are subjected to resting pressures which lead to pain or pathological changes of the adjacent body tissue. The thoracic region can additionally be supported centrally to straighten the spine, wherein the scapula is supported softer or deeper and the rotational error of the user is compensated for about the longitudinal axis of the user in the region of the scapula by the adjusting element. Additionally, the freedom of movement of the upper limb is increased by deep or soft support of the scapula. Since the tilting of the pelvis ends in the transition to the coccyx and sacrum undergoing a load or no load, and the adjustment movement of the thoracic module in the positive and negative sagittal directions ends in a state in which the pressure distribution or positioning of the pelvis is reached or remains substantially unchanged, a further advantage arises in that the neutral position of the pelvis can be obtained or defined in a tilted or lying position at any time. By providing sensors in the backrest element, in particular in the pelvic and lumbar modules, it is possible to detect a pelvic rotation error posture which can be compensated by an adjustment element in the same module via rotation about the longitudinal axis of the user until a uniform pressure distribution on the user's iliac crest is achieved. A further advantage is thereby obtained that a symmetrical positioning of the pelvis in all three body planes can be performed, whereby the lower limbs are functionally decoupled from the pelvic structure of the user's bone. Thus, as long as there is no fixed physical change, the shortening of the foot and the pelvic skew posture in standing upright and caused by the wrong posture of walking of the spine can be compensated. However, the adjustment movement can be positively influenced in a fixed body change. By positioning or supporting the individual of the pelvis and spine structure, segmental mobilization and stabilization of the pelvis and spine structure, misuse due to the user's unaware of his own posture can be eliminated. Another advantage of the invention is thus obtained that in the event of a user having a significant kyphosis or a strong deviation of the spine from the "normal" sagittal orientation, the region of the lumbar spine and at least the transition region associated with the pelvis up to the thoracic spine can be predominantly supported and thus the physical state deterioration can be retarded or even prevented.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the body of a user, the device has a leg element, wherein the leg element is connected to the seat element and comprises a further adjustment element and a sensor. The advantage is thereby obtained that by activating the adjusting element, the user maintains a neutral position of the pelvis in the transition from the sitting position to the lying position, wherein the neutral position of the pelvis is placed in the tilted position or in the lying position taking into account the muscular influence of the lower limbs, in particular the thighs directly connected to the pelvis, on the pelvis in such a way that the calcaneus of the user lies on the level of the coccyx or sacrum or ischial tuberosity level of the user according to their anatomical bone structure. A further advantage of the adjustment element of the leg element is thereby obtained, that the activation of the adjustment element in combination with the neutral pelvic position of the user can prevent venous occlusion and create the property of a "venous pump". The leg elements may be connected with the seat element, preferably mechanically (via fluid-filled channels) or electrically (via wired or wireless, by means of a connection produced for example by bluetooth or WLAN) and/or a combination of these.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the body of a user, the adjusting element comprises an actuator selected from the group comprising a mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, i.e. an electrical servo motor, an air pump or a hydraulic pump, for example. This gives the advantage that the body positioning of the user can be carried out by a plurality of adjustment elements. For example, in the case of a chamber system filled with a fluid, the user can be positioned in a force-flow manner by redistributing the fluid due to the user's own weight or by using a pump device. Furthermore, the electrical linear drives can be activated by the computing unit accordingly to position the user. This gives rise to the advantage that a control circuit defined by a valve is not necessary, for example, in a force-controlled chamber system. A hydraulic linear drive may also be used for positioning the body. This gives rise to the advantage that high forces can be applied for positioning the body, so that mobility-impaired users, in particular persons lying in bed and having a hemiplegia, can be precisely positioned and mobilized. The term adjusting element is not limited to the examples mentioned above.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the body of a user, the sensor is designed as a mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic sensor. This gives rise to the advantage that the sitting and/or leaning pressure of the user can be detected by a plurality of sensors. For example, in the case of a fluid-filled chamber system, pressure sensors can be used which detect sitting and/or leaning pressures by means of pressure differences in the chambers. Mechanical sensors, such as strain gauges or acceleration sensors, may also be used to detect sitting and/or leaning pressure. The term sensor is not limited to the examples mentioned above.

The method according to the invention for operating a device for positioning the body of a user comprises: detecting, by the first and second sensors, sitting and/or leaning pressure of the ischial tuberosities of the user; analyzing the sitting and/or leaning pressure; and activating, by the computing unit, the adjustment element of the seat element in the presence of differences in sitting and/or leaning pressure; compensating the ischial tuberosity level of the user horizontally about the sagittal axis of the user; detecting the sitting pressure of the coccyx of the user by a third sensor of the seat element; analyzing, by the computing unit, the sitting and/or leaning pressure of the user's coccyx; activating, by the computing unit, the adjustment elements of the pelvic and lumbar modules for tilting the user's pelvis in the positive and/or negative sagittal directions about the user's horizontal axis; as long as the sitting and/or leaning pressure of the coccyx has a substantially zero value during tilting, the adjustment movement of the adjustment element is ended by the computing unit. By detecting the regions of the user's coccyx and sacrum, in particular, forces can be detected on the device which occur longitudinally along the user's spine on the basis of their incorrect posture or during the rolling process of their pelvis for positioning the body by means of the adjusting movement of the adjusting element. Additionally, forces can also be detected on the device, which are transmitted from the user's spine via the sacrum thereof to the coccyx and ischial tuberosities, based on a change in the inclination of the backrest element. A further advantage is thereby obtained by providing sensors in the pelvic and lumbar modules of the backrest element, namely that a pelvic rotation error posture can be detected, which is compensated by the adjustment element in the same module via rotation about the longitudinal axis of the user, until an even sitting and/or leaning pressure distribution is achieved in the region of the user's iliac crest. A further advantage results from this, namely that by providing a sensor for detecting sitting and/or leaning pressure and a sensor for detecting sitting and/or leaning pressure of the sacrum, it is possible to detect a rolling process of the pelvis during a transition of the user in a change of sitting or lying posture due to differences in sitting and/or leaning pressure depending on the inclination of the posture. Thereby, a neutral positioning of the pelvis can be maintained even in the lying position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method for positioning the body of a user comprises: after compensating for the tilting process of the ischial tuberosity level and the pelvis of the user, positioning and supporting the user in the sagittal direction in the thoracic vertebral area by activating the adjustment element of the thoracic vertebral module by the computing unit, wherein the adjustment movement bypasses the area of the spinous process; detecting differences in sitting and leaning pressures by sensors of the seat element and the backrest element; analyzing the sitting and leaning pressures by a computing unit; as soon as a significant sitting and/or leaning pressure difference is detected in the seat element and/or in the adjusting element of the pelvic and lumbar module, the adjusting movement of the adjusting element of the thoracic module is ended by the computing unit; by activating the adjustment elements of the cervical vertebrae and head module by the computing unit, then positioning and supporting the user in the sagittal direction in the cervical vertebrae and head region of the user; as soon as a sitting and/or leaning pressure difference is detected in the adjusting element of the thoracic module, the adjusting movement of the adjusting element is ended by the computing unit. The advantage is thereby obtained that the muscle activity perceived by the body can be stimulated by means of an adjustment movement by means of alternating pressure points and/or pressure areas in the pelvis and lumbar, thoracic, cervical and head areas, wherein the movement applies pressure on one side to the body and recedes by the same amplitude on the other side, so that the body can react to this with a compensating movement and thus the back area of the user can be mobilized in sections. This gives the further significant advantage that the positioning of the pelvis of the user takes place in all three body planes, whereby a neutral sitting position can be assumed. A further advantage is thereby obtained that no pathological pressure sites occur in the region of the coccyx and sacrum, which can lead to intense pain and tissue damage by way of bony structures, in particular in the case of impaired users.

According to one embodiment, the method for positioning the body of the user takes place in the tilted position of the backrest element. The advantage is thereby obtained that the positioning of the body can also take place in already existing devices, for example vehicle seats or aircraft seats, since these are usually designed with a tilting backrest element. Additionally, users with severe physical injuries, such as scoliosis, can be more easily positioned, stabilized, and mobilized in an inclined posture.

According to one embodiment of the method, in the tilted position of the backrest element and the tilted position of the seat element, the adjusting element is activated by the computing unit at the position of the leg element until the calcaneus of the user is at least on the ischial tuberosity level. This gives rise to the advantage that, by tilting of the pelvis of the user, lumbar disc herniation, which occurs in the direction of the user's frontal vector, and forces which occur on the spine, can be prevented. This retains the further feature that the neutral positioning of the pelvis of the user can be maintained in the lying-down position by activating the adjustment element of the leg element.

According to one embodiment, the method for positioning the body of a user, after positioning the user, repositions the user at periodic intervals and/or with a segmental pressure difference from a predefined sitting and leaning pressure range, activates the adjustment elements of the device in a stepwise upward and/or downward manner in the horizontal plane of the backrest element and/or the seat element and/or the leg element in the form of a synchronous and/or alternating adjustment movement, sequentially or in an arbitrary sequence along the longitudinal axis, wherein the synchronous adjustment movement takes place not only in the positive sagittal direction but also in the negative sagittal direction and the alternating adjustment movement takes place in a rotational manner about the longitudinal axis, wherein the adjustment movement takes place in the positive sagittal direction on one side and in the negative sagittal direction on the other side with the same amplitude; an adjustment element for activating the seat element in the form of a synchronous or alternating adjustment movement; and activating the adjustment elements of the leg elements in the form of a synchronized and/or alternating adjustment movement. This gives the advantage that the body can be positioned automatically at intervals or dynamically, in particular automatically, by incorrect, too strongly loaded, dislocating positions of the bone structure of the body by the user. Furthermore, after the segmental positioning of the back region of the user, the advantage is obtained that the deep musculature of the user in the immediate region of his spine is excited and is intensified in the posture of the person at the moment in question, by activating the adjusting element in the form of a pulsed, sequential adjusting movement along the leg element. The device, starting from the spinal and pelvic support, enables activation of pressure points and pressure areas that change the muscular tension in order to achieve strengthening of the deep musculature, to train the body posture of the user and to bring about a gradual improvement of the personal state towards the improved, in particular vertical, orientation of the spinal column with respect to the pelvis. The neutral position of the spine and pelvis is maintained in any tilted posture of the device.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device according to a preferred embodiment variant of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the device according to fig. 1.

Detailed Description

The invention is described in detail below with the aid of the figures. Fig. 1 and 2 are exemplary illustrations of a device 1 according to the invention for positioning the body of a user 100 in a sitting position. The device 1 can be integrated into a seat or a couch or can be used as a support on a couch or a bed and comprises a seat element 20, a backrest element 10 with a pelvis and lumbar module 13 and a computing unit 40. The backrest element 10 also has a thoracic module 12 and a cervical vertebra and head module 11, wherein the thoracic module 12 is connected to the lumbar module 13, the cervical vertebra and head module 11 is connected to the thoracic module 12 and the backrest element 10 is connected to the seat element 20, preferably mechanically via a fluid-filled channel. The pelvis and lumbar module 13 comprises at least four adjustment elements 117 and 110 and at least three sensors 114 and 113, while the seat element 20 comprises at least two adjustment elements 108 and at least three pressure sensors 111 and 112, wherein the adjustment elements 108 are configured as self-inflating, deformable and fluid-filled chambers and are connected to one another by channels with valves. The pressure sensors 111 and 112, 114 and 113 are designed to detect the sitting and leaning pressure of the user 100, wherein the computing unit 40 is connected to the chamber, in particular to the valve, and to the pressure sensors 111 and 112, 114 and 113, wherein the connection is not shown in the figures for clarity. The pressure sensor 112 is configured by its positioning in the seat member 20 to detect the seating pressure of the first and second ischial tuberosities 102, wherein the first and second ischial tuberosities 102 define an ischial tuberosity level. The pressure sensor 111 is configured by its positioning in the seat element 20 for detecting the sitting pressure of the coccyx 104 of the user 100. The chambers of the seat element 20 are designed to compensate the ischial tuberosity level horizontally about the sagittal axis of the user 100 in the presence of a sitting pressure difference, wherein the fluid is discharged from the chamber of the seat element 20, which is associated with a higher internal pressure, and pumped in force flow through the own weight of the user 100 into the chambers of the pelvis and lumbar module 13 by means of the channels connecting the chambers. The pressure sensors 114 and 113 in the pelvis and lumbar module 13 are configured by their positioning in the backrest element 10 for detecting the pressure of the iliac crest 103 and the pressure of the sacrum 123. The chambers of the pelvis and lumbar module 13 are configured for tilting the pelvis 101 of the user 100, preferably interactively or alternately on both sides, by redistributing fluid around the horizontal axis of the user and its longitudinal axis, until the sitting pressure of the coccyx 104 preferably has a value of substantially zero in the vertical sitting position, in the critical areas where the coccyx 104 is loaded and unloaded, and the resting pressure difference of the user's iliac crest 103 is substantially zero in the respective chambers 110 in the areas of the pelvis and lumbar module, whereby the user 100 reaches a neutral positioning of the pelvis in sitting position.

Furthermore, the backrest element 10 of the device 1 for positioning the body of the user 100 has further chambers 116, 121 and 119 in the thoracic region and a sensor 125 in the transition region of lordosis and kyphosis. The chambers are configured for positioning the user 100 in the sagittal direction and around the longitudinal axis of the user by means of an adjustment movement, in particular by means of an alternating and/or synchronized pumping thereof, in particular in the region of the spinal column 106, after a neutral positioning of the pelvis has been achieved, wherein the chambers 116, 121 and 119 omit the spinous processes 107 of the user 100 during pumping. The sensor 125 of the transition region is used to detect the control gesture of the user 100. The adjustment of the movement force flow takes place by the weight of the user 100 and is carried out in turn in the pelvis and lumbar module 13, in the thoracic module 12 and in the cervical and head module 11. The device 1 furthermore has a leg element 30, wherein the leg element 30 is preferably mechanically connected to the seat element 20 via a fluid-filled channel and has a further chamber and a pressure sensor, which are not shown in the figures. The chamber is used for supporting lower limbs, wherein the neutral positioning of the pelvis and the spine and the distribution of the pressure present in the chamber are maintained in the tilted posture of the backrest element. The redistribution of the fluid may be performed by the user's own movements in addition to the user's 100 own weight. The adjustment movement in the seat element 20 and/or the backrest element 10 can thus also be carried out without a mechanical connection of the seat element 20 to the backrest element 10 by means of chambers connected in the respective elements. The user 100 activates any adjustment elements of the leg members 30 for changing the position of the thigh 105 or for supporting the calcaneus bone. The user 100 causes redistribution of fluid by its own weight until no significant leaning and/or sitting pressure differences occur in the region of the pelvis, or in the case of use in a tilted posture of the user and with the user's legs extended, until the user's calcaneus is supported at least on the level of the ischial tuberosities by the adjusted pressure profile.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, the sitting pressure on the ischial tuberosities 102 of the user 100 is detected by the first and second pressure sensors 112 and analyzed by the computing unit 40. The computing unit 40, preferably the processor, activates the chamber 108 of the seat element 20, in particular the valve contained in the connecting channel, in the presence of a sitting pressure difference and compensates the ischial tuberosity level of the user 100 horizontally by draining fluid from the chamber 108 of the seat element 20, which is provided with a higher internal pressure. Then, the coccyx sitting pressure of the user 100 is detected by the third sensor 111 and analyzed by the calculation unit 40. Irrespective of the detected values of the sitting and/or leaning pressure of the coccyx, the excess fluid and optionally additional fluid discharged in the preceding method step are pumped by the user's own weight from the chamber of the device having a higher internal pressure in the region of the seat element into the chambers 117 of the pelvis and lumbar module 13, wherein each chamber 117 tilts the pelvis 101 of the user 100 alternately on both sides or around the horizontal axis of the user until the coccyx sitting pressure has a substantially zero value in the transition region of no load and load carrying. If necessary, for this method step for tilting the pelvis, excess fluid must be drained back in order to reach the neutral zone. Immediately following positioning of the pelvis in the third body plane, the pressure of the iliac crest 103 and the sacrum 123 is detected by the sensors 114 and 113 and analyzed by the computing unit 40. The computing unit activates the seat element 20 and the chambers 108 of the pelvis and lumbar module 13, in particular the valves contained in the connecting channels, in the presence of a resting pressure difference and compensates the resting pressure of the user 100 by rotating the pelvis about the longitudinal axis, wherein excess fluid is pumped from the chamber with higher internal pressure into the chamber 110 by the user's 100 own pressure until the distribution of the resting pressure is compensated.

According to the method of the invention, following the ischial tuberosity level compensation, the tilting and rotation process of the pelvis 101 in the region of the pelvis and lumbar module 13, the back region of the user 100, in particular the thoracic vertebrae and cervical vertebrae, is positioned in the sagittal direction and about the longitudinal axis by means of an alternating and/or synchronous adjustment movement, in particular by pumping of the force flow through the further chambers 110, 116, 121, 119 and 122 of the backrest element 10. In this case, the adjustment movements are carried out in succession in the pelvic and lumbar module 13, in the thoracic module 12 and in the cervical and head module 11, wherein the region in the vicinity of the spinous process 107 of the user 100 is skipped during any adjustment in order not to exert pressure on the spinous process 107. By this procedure, essentially no sitting and/or leaning pressure differences or body position changes are obtained in the already positioned adjustment elements of the seat element and/or backrest element.

According to the method for positioning the body, the body positioning is carried out again periodically, preferably at intervals of seconds, minutes or hours, next to the first body positioning of the user 100. The renewed positioning of the body can also take place by a deviation of the sitting pressure difference of the ischial tuberosities or of the sitting pressure of the coccyx from a predefined range of sitting pressure differences, or in particular in the range of segmental changes in sitting pressure, by a functionally relevant adjusting element according to claim 3.

According to the method for positioning the body, the body of the user 100 is positioned in an inclined position of the backrest element 10.

According to the method for positioning the body, an adjusting element, not shown in the figures, is activated by the computing unit 40 in the tilted position of the backrest element 10 and in the tilted position of the seat element 20 at the position of the leg element 30 until the calcaneus bone of the user 100 is located on the ischial tuberosity level.

In the above, an embodiment variant of the invention is described which is essentially sufficient without active (aktive) adjusting elements, since the computing unit 40 controls the increased pressure in the chamber which is strongly loaded by the body weight for inflating the other chambers. By exhausting air from the device 1, the sitting position can likewise be changed by the control of the computing unit 40. If the user 100 stands up from the seat, the self-inflating chamber is again filled into the initial state by the shape stability.

According to an alternative embodiment variant, the adjusting element may comprise an actuator and a sensor, which are selected from the group of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic active actuators and sensors. The invention is thus not limited to fluid-filled chamber systems. For example, the user 100 can be positioned by means of linear drives 108, 117, 110, 116, 119, 121 and 122 which are activated and electrically driven by the computing unit 40, wherein instead of the pressure sensors 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 124 and 125, for example, piezo elements for detecting the body position of the user 100 can be used. The electrically operated device 1 allows positioning of the body without a regulatory circuit defined by the channel and the valve. Another possibility for positioning the body of the user 100 can be achieved by hydraulic adjusting elements 108, 117, 110, 116, 119, 121 and 122 (e.g. hydraulic cylinders) in combination with fluid pressure sensors 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 124 and 125. Another possibility for positioning the body of the user 100 may be by a combination of different adjustment elements. For example, the backrest element 10 can have mechanical, in particular fluid-filled chambers 110, 116, 117, 119, 121 and 122, while the seat element comprises an electrical adjusting element 108, for example a linear drive. Any other combination of adjustment elements is included in the invention

According to alternative embodiment variants, all the connections of the device 1 described as mechanical can also be implemented as electrical, wired or wireless (for example by means of bluetooth or WLAN) and are not limited to the examples described above.

Claims

1. Device (1) for positioning a body of a user (100), wherein the device can be integrated into a seat or recliner or can be used as a support, the device comprising:

a seat element (20), a backrest element (10) having a pelvis and lumbar module (13) and a computing unit (40), wherein the backrest element (10) is connected to the seat element (20), wherein the pelvis and lumbar module (13) comprises at least one adjustment element (117) and at least one sensor (113), and wherein the seat element (20) comprises a plurality of adjustment elements (108) and at least three sensors (111, 112), wherein the sensors (111, 112, 113) are connected to the computing unit (40) and are configured for detecting the sitting and leaning pressures of the user (100) in the seat element (20) and in the pelvis and lumbar module (13), wherein the computing unit (40) is connected to the adjustment elements (108, 117) and is configured for analyzing the sitting and leaning pressures and for activating the adjustment elements (108, 117), characterized in that the first and second sensors (112) and the third sensors (111) are configured for detecting the ischial tuberosities (102) in a first sitting position and a second sitting position and a ischial tuberosity (102) of the user (100) in a vertical position, wherein the adjustment element (108) of the seat element (20) is configured for horizontally compensating the ischial tuberosity level about the sagittal axis of the user (100) in the presence of a sitting and/or leaning pressure difference, and then the adjustment element (117) of the pelvis and lumbar module (13) is configured for tilting the pelvis (101) of the user (100) about said horizontal axis of the user until the sitting and/or leaning pressure of the coccyx (104) has a substantially zero value.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the region of the sacrum (123) and the coccyx (104) of the user (100), when the user changes from a substantially vertical sitting position to a position tilted about the horizontal axis of the user (100), a sitting and/or leaning pressure occurs according to the tilting of this position, wherein in the lying position the substantially highest sitting and/or leaning pressure occurs in the region of the sacrum (123).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the backrest element (10) has a thoracic module (12) and a cervical and head module (11), wherein the thoracic module (12) and the cervical and head module (11) are connected to each other and/or individually to the pelvic and lumbar modules (13) and/or individually to the seat element (20).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the backrest element (10) comprises a plurality of further adjustment elements (116, 121, 119, 122, 110) which are designed for positioning the user (100) in the sagittal direction and around the longitudinal axis of the user by means of alternating and/or synchronous adjustment movements, wherein the computing unit (40) is designed for carrying out the adjustment movements in the pelvic and lumbar module (13), in the thoracic module (12) and in the cervical and head module (11) in sequence, wherein essentially no sitting and/or leaning pressure differences or body posture changes occur in the already positioned adjustment elements of the seat and/or backrest element.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjustment element (117, 116, 119, 121, 122) bypasses the spinous process (107) of the user (100) in case of activation of the adjustment element.

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) has a leg element (30), wherein the leg element (30) is connected with a seat element (20) and comprises a plurality of further adjustment elements and sensors.

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment element (108, 117) comprises an actuator selected from the group comprising mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators.

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (111, 112, 113) comprises a sensor selected from the group of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic sensors.

9. Method for operating a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) Detecting the sitting pressure of the ischial tuberosities (102) of the user (100) by means of the first and second sensors (112);

b) -analysing the sitting pressure and, in the presence of a difference in sitting pressure, activating an adjustment element (108) of the seat element (20) by means of a calculation unit (40);

c) Compensating the ischial tuberosity level of the user (100) horizontally about the sagittal axis of the user;

d) Detecting a sitting pressure of the coccyx (104) of the user (100) by means of a third sensor (111) of the seat element (20);

e) Analyzing, by the computing unit (40), the sitting pressure of the user's coccyx (104);

f) Activating, by means of the computing unit (40), an adjustment element (117) of the pelvis and lumbar module (13) for tilting the pelvis (101) of the user (100) in the positive and/or negative sagittal direction about the horizontal axis of the user;

g) As soon as the sitting pressure of the coccyx (104) has a substantially zero value during tilting, the adjustment movement of the adjustment element (117) is ended by the computing unit (40).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises, after the tilting procedure compensating the ischial tuberosity level and the pelvis (101) of the user (100), the steps of:

a) Positioning and supporting the user (100) in the sagittal direction in the thoracic region by activating an adjustment element (119, 121) of the thoracic module (12) by the computing unit (40), wherein the adjustment movement bypasses the region of the spinous process (107);

b) Detecting sitting and leaning pressure differences by means of sensors (111, 112, 114, 113) of the seat element (20) and the backrest element (10);

c) Analyzing the sitting and leaning pressures by means of a computing unit (40);

d) As soon as a significant sitting and/or leaning pressure difference is detected in the adjustment elements of the seat element (20) and/or of the pelvis and lumbar module (13), the adjustment movement of the adjustment element (119) of the thoracic module (12) is ended by the computing unit (40);

e) By activating the adjustment element (122) of the cervical vertebra and head module (11) by the computing unit (40), then positioning and supporting the user (100) in the sagittal direction in the cervical vertebra and head area of the user;

f) As soon as a sitting and/or leaning pressure difference is detected in the adjusting element (116, 211) of the thoracic module (12), the adjusting movement of the adjusting element (122, 115) is ended by the computing unit (40).

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the body positioning of the user (100) is performed in an inclined posture of the backrest element (10).

12. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that in the tilted position of the backrest element (10) and the tilted position of the seat element (20) the adjustment element at the position of the leg element (30) is activated by the computing unit (40) until the calcaneus of the user (100) is at least on the ischial tuberosity level.

13. The method according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the method comprises, after positioning the user (100), the steps of:

a) Repositioning the user (100) at periodic time intervals and/or in the presence of segmental pressure differences from predefined sitting and leaning pressure ranges;

b) Activating the adjustment elements of the device (1) in a horizontal plane of the backrest element (10) and/or the seat element (20) and/or the leg element (30) in a stepwise upward and/or downward sequence or in any order along the longitudinal axis in the form of a synchronous and/or alternating adjustment movement, wherein the synchronous adjustment movement is performed not only in a sagittal direction but also in a negative sagittal direction, and the alternating adjustment movement is performed in a rotational form about the longitudinal axis, wherein the adjustment movement is performed in a sagittal direction on one side and in a negative sagittal direction with the same amplitude on the other side;

c) Activating a plurality of adjustment elements of the seat element (20) in the form of synchronous or alternating adjustment movements;

d) A plurality of adjustment elements of the leg element (30) are activated in the form of synchronous and/or alternating adjustment movements.